Oral Cancer Screening
At Caring Dental, we cannot stress just how important it is for everyone to come for routine screenings and preventative care. One of the most important components of that treatment is oral cancer screening. Many believe oral cancer only impacts elderly individuals, but that is not the case. It can have an impact at any time.
That is why we recommend oral cancer screening in Baltimore, MD. Learn more about the importance of oral cancer screening below, and give us a call today to make an appointment with our team.
The Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
Even though oral cancer can impact just about anyone, a few risk factors could make it more likely for you to be diagnosed with oral cancer:
- If you have a family history of oral cancer, such as a mother or father with oral cancer, then you might be more likely to develop this disease yourself.
- If you use tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco and cigarettes, you may be more likely to develop oral cancer.
- Older people are typically more likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer than younger people.
No matter your history, you need to get screened for oral cancer regularly. That is why we encourage you to call us to make an appointment.
What We Do During an Oral Cancer Screening
When we check you for oral cancer, we complete a few key tasks. Our goal is to examine your mouth for any signs of swelling, bumps, lumps, or white patches. They could be a sign of oral cancer.
We might need to take out certain oral appliances to ensure we do not miss anything. This could include retainers, dentures, and other devices that could otherwise be in the way. We will also use a light and mirror to ensure we do not overlook any irregularities.
Furthermore, we will perform a physical exam to ensure we do not miss anything. We will look at your jaw, gum tissue, and mouth. We may also check your jaw and nose. If we spot any nodules, we will examine them further.
We will also use X-rays and imaging studies to ensure we do not overlook anything beneath the surface. We want to make sure that nothing is overlooked.
The Top Benefits of Oral Cancer Screening
We encourage everyone to go through oral cancer screening for several reasons. First, understand that this is something that only takes a few minutes. It is not painful and causes no discomfort. It also allows us to potentially catch oral cancer before it spreads to other parts of the body. The sooner we catch it, the faster we can start the treatment process. It could dramatically improve your prognosis.
Contact Caring Dental for Oral Cancer Screening Today
If you need help with oral cancer screening, we are here to help you. Caring Dental recommends an oral cancer screening during every visit. Give us a call today to schedule your next preventative visit.